Drop cloths (AKA painter’s tarps) are one of those inexpensive materials that are extremely versatile. They can be used when painting to protect your floor and furniture, or they can be cut and sewn into a number of cute projects! Drop cloths are really the perfect blank canvas for budget decorating projects! I’ve gathered 10 of my favorite easy drop cloth projects to help inspire you to use this versatile cloth in your home!
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FYI I used drop cloths to make my first (and last) slipcover which you can see here. So glad I did it with such inexpensive material since I made lots of mistakes!
12 Easy Drop Cloth Projects
It’s amazing how many projects you can make with drop cloths. They are so much more than fabric pieces to catch all your drops of paint. Keep your eyes out for good deals on a drop cloth and stock up on them. They can be found at any of these types of locations:
- Hardware Stores – Check your local hardware store, they often have in store sales!
- Paint Supply Stores – Most paint supply stores have everything you need to paint the interior or exterior of your home, including drop cloths.
- Yard Sales – Believe it or not, you may even be able to get some good deals at a yard sale. Don’t be afraid to buy them used and turn them into something amazing.
1. Coasters
These DIY coasters from Design Sponge are both simple drop cloth crafts and great beginner sewing projects! You could have a lot of fun with choosing what designs to stamp/draw on them!
2. Rug
Learn how to make a chic and affordable rug with this easy drop cloth rug tutorial from The Handyman’s Daughter. You can apply the techniques in this tutorial to any size or shape rug. The ability to paint and stencil drop cloth allows you to customize your rug!
3. House Flag
This simple project from Condo Blues allows you to make a lovely drop cloth flag for the front of your home! Customize it with your family’s initials and use your favorite color for the edging and letter. This is a great beginner sewing project, too!
4. Chair Seat Cover
Make your chairs really cute with this numbered seat cushion tutorial from 11 Magnolia Lane! This project doesn’t even require any sewing!
5. Lamp Shade
Restoration Redoux shows how to make this adorable lampshade with just drop cloth fabric and a hot glue gun. This seems like a fun and easy project to do while watching your favorite movie!
6. Table Runner
Easily add a complex, colorful design to a drop cloth table runner with this tutorial from Pretty Handy Girl. The end result looks beautiful, and by changing up the stencil and colors, the possibilities are endless!
7. Placemat
I love a simple tutorial with an adorable result, and that’s what you’ll get with this drop cloth placemat tutorial from Jenna Burger!
8. Utensil Holders
These no-sew stenciled utensil holders are just adorable! Debbie Doo’s tutorial shows you how to use just a few materials and some hot glue to make your own adorable drop cloth utensil holders!
9. Wreath
This wreath looks complex, but it’s actually very simple and easy to make! Follow Painted Therapy’s tutorial to cut up your own drop cloth into a ruffled drop cloth wreath!
10. Pillows
This super simple tutorial from A Bowl Full of Lemons allows you to make your own Pottery Barn style pillows in only 1 hour! They’re quick and easy to make, and you can stamp them with whatever number or word that you wish!
11. DIY Waterproof Picnic Blanket
This adorable DIY waterproof picnic blanket adds lots of fun to your day. It’s bright and cheery and easy to make if you follow the tutorial by Simple Nature Decor.
12. Curtains
Homemade curtains couldn’t be any easier than with using a drop cloth. Lolly Jane shows how she updated her bedroom with a coastal theme using drop cloth curtains.
Aren’t all of the projects fabulous! Which one inspired you the most?
Love these! My favorites are the coasters, place mats and table runner. Need some drop cloths…:-)
I love crafting with drop cloths. You’ve found some great projects to share.
I posted this drop cloth project on my blog this morning if you’d like to take a peek at it!
http://www.virginiasweetpea.com/2015/02/dollar-store-decor-st-patricks-day-pillow.html
These are really great projects! I especially like the coasters, pillows, and though not my style that animal rug is great!
The drop cloth rug idea is interesting…we will probably be moving soon into a rental with beige carpeting in the dining room, which doesn’t mix well with multiple small, spilling children. I was already thinking of putting a drop cloth under the table, but was unsure about how I might paint/decorate it.
Yes, I thought the rug was a great inexpensive idea that illustrates what you can do in terms of a rug. There are plenty of striped drop cloth rugs or diamond pattern one too that would be a pattern that fits into most homes. The possibilities are endless really!
I love the lamp shade. Beautiful!
These are really nice. Love the table runner. And the rug, very creative. Going to send link to my daughter, she’s just starting to get crafty, and drop cloths is her favorite.
Thanks Linda! I hope she finds some ideas to inspire her – drop cloths are such a great “fabric” to craft with!
love love love these easy to do projects. Thanks so much for putting the all in one great place!
Lots of good ideas – thanks for sharing them. I have seen lots of good ideas using drop cloths, but have not used one myself.
Enjoy your evening.
Those are some seriously cute ideas! Wish I had a drop cloth to tinker with today when the snow arrives! Enjoy your day dear Manuela, HUGS!
Such cute ideas! I think the wreath and the placemat are my favorites on the list! After seeing these cute projects I am going to have to pick up a drop cloth or two next time I’m out. Thank you for the awesome lineup!
Cat
I love all these ideas! You can do most of these projects in a afternoon! Thank you for the awesome roundup! Now I am thinking about what I can do with an old drop cloth! So happy that I click on this roundup over at Table for Seven: Inspire Me Monday linky party!
Gina from Always Savory
Simply adorable thanks for sharing.
Linda Bauwin – CARD-iologist
Helping you create cards from the heart.
Some great ideas here. Loved the lamp shade. Gorgeous!
Marianne
http://www.preciselyhousewifely.com
visiting from Kitchen Fun blog hop.
xx
Hi, I am coming over from Just Us 4 and wanted to say that I love your dropcloth ideas. I would love it if you would share your creativity at the Friday Favorites Link Party, happening every Friday at Mustlovehome.com!
I am coming over from Just Us 4 and I love you dropcloth ideas. I would love it if you would share your creativity at the Friday Favorites Link Party, happening every Friday at Mustlovehome.com!
What beautiful idea, love them all. Thanks for linking up at the Project Parade Linky Party.
These are so fun and creative! Thank you for sharing them with us at #FoodieFriDIY! Pinning and sharing!
I need to remember to use drop cloths as an inexpensive fabric resource. So many great ideas! Thanks for linking up to Show Me Saturday.